My Experience in
Professor Leake's Honors Writing 1733 Class
All of us students
enrolled in Professor Leake's Honors Writing class have put in blood, sweat,
and tears into this class for one reason; we were inspired by the opportunity
to change the world. Though there are only a handful of us, I think I speak for
all of my peers when I say that we still dream of a perfect world for refugees.
Looking back at the obstacles life has thrown at me, I can safely say that they
are nowhere near as damaging as those confronting refugees on a daily basis.
However, the sad realization I have come to is that I would truly know nothing
about the lives of refugees had I not taken this class. It is a shame. I never
once imagined a life in which young children are being separated from their
families. Indeed, even as these families are separated, they receive little to
no help while stranded in refugee camps. Those "fortunate" enough to
make it to America are engulfed by a new culture that makes little to no sense.
As Dave Eggers emphasized in What is the
What, many refugees, upon relocation, miss "all of Africa... [and its]
yellow nothingness" (Eggers 7). With all of the class discussions and
readings assigned, it amazes me that refugees are not getting the attention
they deserve. Certainly, after each of my volunteering sessions at the ACC, I
always end up asking myself why this group has been inflicted with such hatred,
violence, and poverty. It is mind-boggling.
Although this is
an important question for us to ask, I think that the biggest thing I have
taken away from this class is that I can make a difference. Up until now, I
have always questioned how much of a impact I can make by myself in this world.
After all, there are millions of people that are in dire need of assistance.
Yet, my volunteering experience at the ACC has taught me otherwise. This
service learning component of the class was integral in my understanding that I
can change the world one step at a time. As long as I am determined and focused
on a goal, positive change will incur. While volunteering at the ACC, I
distinctly remember meeting two young men from Africa. They had just arrived in
Denver and could barely speak English. After spending two hours helping them
fill out different job applications, the smiles on their faces portrayed the
difference I had already made in this world. The next week, I saw these boys
again. They came up to me and profusely thanked me for my help. They had received
several job opportunities. Hence, because of this class and the volunteering
accompanied, I now know that I can make an impact anywhere and everywhere I go.
We cannot stop here.
Though each of us has made a large impact on the refugee community, this is not
enough reason for us to quit. Personally, I will make an effort to volunteer at
the ACC next year, as it is very important that we continue to work with
Melissa Theesen and the other employees. With this, we can make an even longer
lasting difference in this world. We must also make sure that the University of
Denver continues this class next year. Although Professor Leake is leaving, I
am sure that there is another professor that would be more than willing to
teach a course tied with the ACC. Honestly, offering this service learning
class once is not enough. As I have learned from experience with working with
families in Cambodia inflicted with HIV/AIDS, a sustained relationship is
needed to make a real difference in a group. Thus, we must all strive to stay
connected with the ACC to make a real impact on refugees across the world.
Not only has my
outlook on life changed, but so have my thoughts on writing. Never have I
enrolled in a class where writing has been used to change the lives of others.
I am so used to writing academic papers that, at the surface, seem to have no
value. Conversely, Professor Leake never assigned papers like this. Instead, all
of the writing had a true purpose. This distinctly reminds me of an article I
read a week ago by Erik Gifford. Titled "Writing can be Fun," the
article emphasizes that forced writing can "put [students] off the idea of
writing" (Gifford). However, the author stresses that, in his experience,
having students write about something that gives them pleasure makes
"everything suddenly much better [and more fun]" (Gifford). In fact,
for the first time in years, I have actually enjoyed coming to a writing based
class. This is all because I have learned that writing can be fun and
productive at the same time. A perfect example of this is the
employment/volunteer guide. Though it required a lot of teamwork and time
outside of class, I had a blast working with my fellow classmates. It is
because of this that I will look to enroll into more writing classes in the
future.
My eyes are now open.
I have volunteered with several different organization, including numerous
hospitals and libraries. Nonetheless, I have never been as impacted through
service as I currently am. The many lessons I have taken from this class will
be of great use to me, especially with my future aspirations of being a doctor.
It also helps that I have grown up to believe that everyone has a purpose in
this world. Whether its teaching others or saving lives, everyone has a role to
fill in society. Personally, I am on the pre-med track because I believe that
my calling in this world is to help others. With my current understanding that
one person can indeed change the world, I am more excited than ever to become a
licensed doctor. The very fact that a writing class, and not a science class,
has given me this revelation speaks volumes about this class. I thank you,
Professor Leake, for making this service class enjoyable, worthwhile, and, ultimately,
wonderful.
Works
Cited
Eggers, Dave. What Is
the What. London: Hamilton, 2006. Print.
Gifford, Erik. "Writing can be
Fun." n. page. Web. 29 May. 2013. <Gifford, Erik. "Writing can be
Fun." n. page. Print. .>.
